Harbin, Nov. 26.
The Harbin Branch of the Russo-Asiatic Bank has come in for good deal of criticism over, the Patriotic Loan of Rls. 500,000,000 to be issued in Petrograd at ninety-four and to bear 5 per cent. inter- Ri est. The subscription lists were open to the public only for three hours, and I understand that not more than Rls, 200,000 were applied for—a contrast with Vladivostok where the lists were open for three days and over Ris. 5,000,000 appli ed for. The explanation given is that the telegram sent from Petro grad was delayed in transmission that though it was known that this loan was to be floated, no particulars were to hand and therefore it was impossible for the Harbin Branch to open the lists before they arrived, whilst instructions called for the lists to be closed at a stated hour. The Harbin Public, who are ever ready to snap up good things are much incensed against the bank's attitude in the matter. Another popular loan is to be raised shortly and will take the form of Premium Bonds, The price of the coupons is Rls. 5.00, and these can be subdivided into five of the face value of @ rouble. There will be periodic cal drawings for the premiums. No doubt these coupons will be bought by the poorer classes in the hopes of gaining some substantial prizes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.